Foldable shelf



Jain. 22, 1924.

W. KAUFERT FOLDABLE SHELF.

Filed April 24, 1923 m A L M I :H EE n w; 7 W a 1 a. 1

Wu 5 Hm W v aji 'iulljhzlllllll Patented Jan. 22, 1924;.

- FOLDABLE SHELF.

Application fil ed April 2 2.1923. Serial No. 634,215.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that 1, WILLIAM KAUFERT, a citizen ofthe United States, and resident of Wisconsin Rapids, in the county of Wood and State of Wisconsin, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Foldable Shelves; and I do hereby declare that the following is a full, clear, and exact description thereof.

This invention relates to a foldable shelf, and is particularly directed to a shelf adapted to be used in places where a minimum of space is available.

Objects of this invention are to provide a foldable shelf which may be folded fiat against the supporting wall and may therefore occupy a small space when not in use,

to provide a foldable shelf which is adequately braced and supported in a firm and substantial manner when in use, and to provide a foldable shelf of simple and sturdy construction, which may be readily and cheaply produced.

An embodiment of the invention is shown in the accompanying drawings, in which Figure 1 is a front view of the shelf in extended position.

Figure 2 is a side elevation thereof with parts broken away to show the construction.

Figure 3 is a front view of the shelf in folded condition, such view being on a smaller scale from that shown in the remaining figures.

Figure 4 is a sectional view on the line 4-4 of Figure 3.

Referring more particularly to the drawings, it will be seen that the shelf comprises a back portion 1, which is attached to a vertical wall in any suitable manner. 2 This back portion has hinged thereto a pair of roughly triangular shaped brackets 2, such brackets being conveniently attached adjacent their upper and lower ends by means of hinges 3, as may be seen in Figure 3. These brackets have flat upper faces and are provided with dowel pins 4 projecting upwardly from such faces. The brackets are adapted to be opened outwardly into the position shown in Figures 1 and 2, and are held in braced and extended relation by means of a transverse bracing member 5 (see Figures 1 and 2). This bracing member 5 fits within slots 6 formed in the brackets 2, as is clearly shown in Figure 1, and holds such brackets in a rigid and secure manner in their extended positions It also forms an auxiliary or smaller shelf between the brackets, as may be seen from Figure 2. A convenient way of retaining this bracing member 5 in position and permitting the various adjustments thereof, is secured by means of a helical spring 7, one end of which is attached within a channel portion 8 of the brace 5, and the other portion of which is attached within a recessed portion 9 of the back 1. This spring permits the brace 5 to be positioned, as shown in Figure 2, or to be withdrawn and laid flat across the folded brackets 2, as shown in Figures 3 and 4.

The shelf proper, as indicated at 10, is hingedly joined to the plate 1 by means of links 11 pivotally attached to each end of the shelf and to each end of the plate 1. The shelf is provided with a pair of apertures 12, which extend through the lower face of the shelf and part way into the body of the shelf. These apertures are adapted to receive the dowel pins 4 and to thereby secure the additional and firmer bracing of the parts of the compound or folding shelf.

The operation of the apparatus is as follows: When it is desired to collapse the shelf structure, the shelf proper 10 is rocked upwardly into the positions shown in F igures 3 and 4the rounded portion 13 of the shelf clearing the upper end of the back plate 1. Thereafter the brace 5 is drawn directly outwardly until it clears the grooves 6. The brackets 2 are then folded flat against the back plate 1, as shown in Figures 3 and 4c, and the brace 5 is rotated into a vertical plane. The spring 7 contracts and holds the brace 5 tightly against the brackets 2, thereby retaining the parts in a compact and folded position.

It will thus be seen that a folding shelf has been provided, which is sturdy and secure when in its extended or operable position, and which may be used to support any desired load.

It will further be seen that a foldable shelf has been provided which is adapted to be collapsed and folded flat when not in use, and to thereby occupy a minimum of space.

I claim:

1. A foldable shelf comprising a back plate, a shelf portion hinged thereto and adapted to be folded upwardly to substantially align with such back plate, a pair of brackets hingedly carried by such back plate and atransverse brace removably received by such brackets and adapted to hold them in place and in extended position.

2. A foldable shelf comprising a back plate, a shelf portion hinged thereto, a pair of bracket members hinged to said back plate and adapted to fold fiat'against said back plate or to extend therefrom and to support said shelf portion, said shelf portion and brackets having interengaging 1 means for locking said brackets in their relatve positions, and a brace extending beplate, a shelf portion hinged thereto and adapted to swing upwardly into alignment with said back'plate, a pair of brackets hingedly mounted upon said back plate and adapted to be locked outwardly therefrom into shelf supporting position, said brackets and shelf portion having interengaging fastening means, a brace extending between said' brackets, said brackets having slots adapted to removably receive said brace, and a spring" connecting said brace and said back plate, and continuously tending to draw said brace towards said back plate.

In testimony that I claim the foregoing I have hereunto set myhand at Wisconsin Rapids, in the county of W'ood and State of Wisconsin.

WILLIAM KAUFEBT. 

